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The Enigmatic Courier |
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The newspaperman, a figure of mystery to me yet ever-present in our
neighborhood, engages in his daily ritual of delivering newspapers to
countless homes, including ours. Each morning, as the clock chimes 6:30
a.m., I am stirred from my slumber by the unmistakable roar of his
motorcycle, announcing the arrival of the daily paper. Unfailingly punctual,
he braves all elements, save for those rare and extraordinary circumstances
that might impede his appointed rounds.
So consistent and reliable is he that I find no necessity for an alarm clock
to rouse me from my dreams. The neighborhood dogs, attuned to his arrival,
launch into a chorus of barks, signaling that it is time for me to prepare
for the school day.
Yet, despite his steadfast presence, I have yet to lay eyes upon him. My
interaction is confined to retrieving and perusing the newspaper he
thoughtfully leaves at our doorstep. I catch but a fleeting glimpse of the
man once a month, when he arrives punctually at six-thirty in the evening to
collect payment for his diligent service.
On the first of each month, he rings the doorbell, and I am entrusted with
the responsibility of paying him. My mother ensures that the money is
prepared a day in advance and instructs me on the payment process. I marvel
at the efficiency of his operation as he hands me the change, imprints the
“PAID” stamp on the bill, and departs for the next household. There is no
trace of a smile upon his countenance, as if the regimental rounds of
newspaper delivery have rendered him an automaton. The image of a
well-oiled, prompt, and unsmiling machine emerges to describe him—a behavior
very much akin to that of a robot.
Nonetheless, I am profoundly appreciative of his unwavering service. Thanks
to him, I am never deprived of my daily newspaper, a luxury that some of my
friends lament due to the unreliability of their own newspapermen. In this
regard, I consider myself fortunate to have the best newspaperman—one whose
efficiency and dependability never falter. |
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